Mt. Putuoshan

» Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Mt. Putuoshan Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Mt. Putuoshan, on one of the Zhoushan Islands about 100 sea miles off the eastern coast of Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province covers an area of 12.5 square kilometers. Its main peak, the Peak of Buddhist Top, is 300 meters above sea level. Sailing near, one can see verdant trees, strange rocks, mysterious temples, and huge inscriptions carved on stones.

What to see

Mt. Putuoshan is noted for its rough terrain and exquisite landscape, and its scenic beauty meant it is the perfect setting for temples and other religious buildings. The centre of the island is covered with rich green forests that form a tranquil setting appropriate to a place of quiet religious contemplation. The sandy shores of the island are also special features and particularly attractive to tourists.

Temples

The scenic beauty of Mt. Putuoshan meant it is the perfect setting for temples and other religious buildings.In its heyday, the island had eighty-two temples and nunneries together with some one hundred and twenty-eight shelters that between them housed 4,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. Even today visitors to the island will encounter monks in their traditional robes as they walk along the many paths that criss-cross the picturesque landscape.

The three famous temples are Puji Temple, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple, which are the three largest ones among the 20-odd existing well-preserved temples nationwide.

Puji Temple

Puji Temple, covering an area of about 11,000 square meters, was built during the Dazhong reign (847 - 859) of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), and is the main temple enshrining Kwan-yin on Mt. Putuoshan. It has nine halls, among which Dayuantong Hall is the main hall which enshrines the Statue of Kwan-yin at the center. This statue is about nine meters high, and on both sides of the statue stand 32 Kwan-yin statues.

Fayu Temple

Fayu Temple was built during the Wanli reign (1572 - 1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was built according to the mountain's hypsography, and has a clear overall arrangement. It consists of six tiers of halls among which Dayuantong Hall was moved from the Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing City, and is an architectural masterpiece. At the center of the hall the Image of Vairocana Buddha is enshrined and the Statue of Thousand-hand Kwan-yin is enshrined behind the image, carved with camphor wood. A stand of Lamp of Heaven east of the temple is the vertex of Mt. Putuoshan. Ancient trees around Fayu Temple are very tall, and the ambience here is quiet and secluded.

Huiji Temple

Huiji Temple was built in the Ming Dynasty and is the third largest temple on Mt. Putuoshan. Because it was built on the Fodingshan Mountain, it is also called Dingshan Temple. The temple features the style of a typical garden in southern China. The Statues of Sakyamuni and his two disciples are enshrined at the center of the Main Hall. Among all temples on Mt. Putuoshan, this is the only temple that enshrines Buddha but not Kwan-yin Statue in the Main Hall. The Statue of Buddha is enshrined on the vertex of the island, showing Buddhists' respect to Buddha.

Caves and stones

Mt. Putuoshan is also the site of some famed stone caves, such as the Chaoyin, Chaoyang and Fanyin caves. Among them, the Chaoyin and Fanyin caves are the most renowned. When the sea surges, water tumbles into the Chaoyin Cave and bumps into the rocks inside with a thunderous roar, and looks like a madly gyrating dragon from a bird's-eye view.

The Fanyin Cave (Cave of Buddhist Sound)

The Fanyin Cave (Cave of Buddhist Sound) is sandwiched between two steep cliffs of some 100 meters in height. The cave winds its way towards the sea. When the sea swells, the waters pour into the cave with thunderous roars. A stone stair leads from the mountain top to a rock platform built into the cave wall, half way above the bottom with a marvelous view of the sea.

There are also many oddly-shaped stones, the 20-odd most famous ones of which include Pantuo Stone, the stone of Two Tortoises listening to preaching, and the stone of Sea and Sky.

What to buy

Near Puji Temple there is a night market that sells a variety of souvenirs, statues and raw seafood, a number of convenience stores, and a few restaurants offering inexpensive meals.

What to eat

Temple food

Inexpensive vegetarian fare is available at many of the temples.

Vegetarian

As a Buddhist island, most of the island's restaurants offer a good selection of vegetarian dishes.

Chinese dishes

The hotels near Puji Temple have restaurants that are open to non-residents.

Something to suggest

There is an accommodation bureau at the port. The staff is extremely helpful, and provides reliable information on hotels and guest houses on the island. During national holidays, it is advisable to make prior room reservations, but this is not generally necessary at other periods.

Another tourist office is located on the main square near the Puji temple, and this is a good place to pick up free English-language guides and maps.

When to visit

The whole day is alright for you to enjoy here.

Getting there

By boat

Putuoshan can be reached by boat from the major cities of Ningbo and Shanghai. It will take approximately an hour by boat to reach the wharf at Ningbo, from where a bus transports passengers to Ningbo city centre.

There are two boats linking Putuoshan and Shanghai. One departs in the evening and travels overnight, arriving in the early morning; the other leaves early in the day from a wharf outside of Shanghai city centre but takes less than two hours.

Other means

A number of minibuses link the major tourist areas. There are no taxis and traffic is usually limited to buses.

Attractions around » Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

Natural Scene

• West Lake
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Feilaifeng Peak
• Solitary Hill
• Red Carp Pond
• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Qiantang River
• Hupao Spring
• Grand Canal

Historical Site

• Lingyin Temple
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Hefang Street
• Tomb of General Yue Fei

Cultural Site

• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• National Tea Museum
• China National Silk Museum
• Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Orchid Pavilion

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Jian Lake Golf Culb

Shopping & Leisure

• Hefang Street

Mt. Putuoshan Highlights

Buddhism attraction highlights

• Mt. Emeishan
• Leshan Giant Buddha
• Mt. Lushan
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Dai Temple
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center

city highlights

• Dunhuang
• Dengfeng
• Luoyang
• Taishan
• Emeishan
• Leshan
• Shijiazhuang

Mountain in Great China

• Yellow Mountains
• Chengde Mountain Resort
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Mt. Emeishan
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Wuyishan
• Mt. Qingchengshan
• Echoing-Sand Mountain
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Victoria Peak
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Mt. Wudangshan
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Mt. Changbaishan
• Mt. Cangshan
• Meili Snow Mountain
• Tianshan Mountains
• Mt. Huashan
• Mt. Qianshan
• Mt. Yuelushan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Flaming Mountain
• Mt. Gonggashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Laoshan
• Mt. Qomolangma
• Green Lotus Peak
• Mt. Qingyuanshan
• Qilian Mountains
• Mt. Geleshan
• Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area
• Thousand Buddha Mountain
• Mt. Panshan
• Red Hill

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area in Great China

• Yellow Mountains
• Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
• Stone Forest
• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
• Yalong Bay
• Huanglong Scenic Area
• Mt. Emeishan
• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Wolong Nature Reserve
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Wuyishan
• Mt. Qingchengshan
• Echoing-Sand Mountain
• Mt. Putuoshan
• Mt. Wutaishan
• Gulangyu Island
• Reed Flute Cave
• Jimei School Village
• Victoria Peak
• Dadonghai
• Wuzhizhou Island
• Shennongjia Nature Reserve
• Mt. Jiuhuashan
• Mt. Wudangshan
• Shennong Stream
• Lake Taihu
• Lake Shahu
• Dragon Palace Scenic Area
• Suoxi Valley
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Huangshi Village
• Jinbian Stream
• Stone Bell Hill
• Mt. Changbaishan
• Shangri-la
• Feilaifeng Peak
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Mt. Cangshan
• Meili Snow Mountain
• Tianshan Mountains
• Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Eling Park
• Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
• Mounigou Valley
• Small Three Gorges
• Mt. Huashan
• Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area
• Crown Cave
• Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
• Port Wusongkou
• Mt. Qianshan
• Shapotou
• Yellow River Scenic Area
• Mt. Yuelushan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Silver Cave
• Solitary Hill
• Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds
• Nanxi River Scenic Area
• Dongba Valley
• Flaming Mountain
• Tianshan Grand Canyon
• Wangjiang Park
• Mt. Gonggashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Half-Side Ferry
• International Beer Town
• Beidaihe Scenic Spot
• Laohutan Ocean Park
• Xiaoqikong
• Mt. Laoshan
• Huaxi Scenic Area
• Grape Valley
• Seven-Star Crag Scenic Area
• Mt. Qomolangma
• Yellow Cloth Shoal
• Forest of Odd-Shaped Peaks
• Wangfu Rock
• Badaguan Scenic Area
• Ruili
• Wudalianchi Scenic Area
• Port Lushun
• Port Lvshun
• Tianya Haijiao
• Xiao Dongtian
• Xian Qi Cave
• Merryland World
• Green Lotus Peak
• Sanya Bay
• Dongshanling Ridge
• Mt. Qingyuanshan
• Qilian Mountains
• Xiangzhi Valley
• Fanjing Mountain National Nature Reserve
• Baishui Tableland
• Dishuidong Cave
• Port Chaotianmen
• Mt. Geleshan
• No.1 Bathing Beach
• Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area
• Fujiazhuang Beach
• Xingcheng Beach
• Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve
• Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation
• Baizhangji and Feiyun Lake Scenic Area
• Thousand Buddha Mountain
• Mt. Panshan
• Shanghai Wild Animal Park
• Red Hill

Mt. Putuoshan FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

• Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

  The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

  From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

  The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

  If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

  Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.

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• What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

  Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

  The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

  You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.

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• What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Louwailou Restaurant

  Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

  The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

  Address: No 30 Gushan Road
  Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
  Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

  Tianwaitian Restaurant

  This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

  Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
  Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
  Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm
  

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• What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

  Silk

  Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

  The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

  It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

  Tea

  Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

  The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

  Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.

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• What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

  There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:
  

  • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
    The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.
    
    
  • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
    The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.
    
    
  • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
    Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.
    
    The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.
    
    
  • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
    During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.
    
    When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.
    
    
  • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
    This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.
  
  
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